In her book Extra Helping, Janet Reich Elsbach shares the beauty and bounty of receiving through food. This week, we’re talking about how to slow down and be more present while caregiving, how to stop tying receiving to “weakness” or “inability,” why food politics surrounding chemo, cancer, and health have no place in the meal train, and how food has the incredible power to give us our humanity back. Janet’s work, book, and recipes! https://www.araisinandaporpoise.com/ Get grief support for just...
Feb 05, 2020•48 min
Stephenie Zamora was on top of the world until the sudden suicide of her recent ex-boyfriend brought it all crashing down. Her new book Unravel takes grievers deep into the world of loving and grieving people who abuse us, understanding traumatic grief as a major root cause of PTSD, and recognizing that grief totally turns everything from our work to our friendships upside-down and inside-out. Stephenie’s book Unravel: https://theunravelbook.com/ Stephenie’s work and coaching: https://stepheniez...
Jan 29, 2020•56 min
How often have you felt HEARD, I mean REALLY HEARD in your grief? Michael Sorensen is the author of I Hear You and we’re talking about the tool of emotional validation i.e. helping people feel heard and understood. This week, we’ll touch on why we’re all starving for validation, how to get friends and family to really hear us instead of trying to fix us, and what to do when it feels like listening to someone else’s story is a burden. Plus, I’m announcing a tiny change to Coming Back’s structure ...
Jan 22, 2020•54 min
Her TED Talk has a disclaimer because it’s so controversial! What happens when we’re happy, joyful, or even at peace when our loved one dies? Jennifer Mathews is expanding what it means to grieve because when her partner died from cancer she did not grieve in the traditional way. We’re talking about the cultural myths that make death and grief more painful, how to connect with “that which never dies,” and why laughter is an invitation to connect with a new way of feeling. Jennifer’s work, writin...
Jan 15, 2020•52 min
When her three-and-a-half-year-old-son, Koa, died suddenly in a home accident, Victoria Markham was thrust into the world of grief. Her documentary RE:MEMBER is an inside look at working with the beauty and pain of grief. Today, we’re talking about releasing guilt associated with the death of a loved one, avoiding cultural appropriation in grief rituals, and how grief shows up… even years and years later. Stream or download Victoria’s RE:MEMBER Documentary: https://www.rememberdoc.com/ My Bizarr...
Jan 08, 2020•48 min
What would happen if we gave kids space and support to grieve? This week, I’m talking to Jana DeCristofaro from the Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families. We’re discussing why repeating the facts of what happened is often necessary for kids, why you might consider making a scrapbook or written story of a child’s grief, and how those of us who are childless/child-free can support the grieving kids around us. The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families: https://www.dougy.org/ Pur...
Jan 01, 2020•55 min
Religion is a touchy subject in grief. But for some like Joanne Fink, it’s the touchstone for their coming back. Joanne Fink’s work, books, cards, and Caremojis: https://zenspirations.com/ https://whenyoulosesomeone.com/ Season 8 of Coming Back premieres January 1, 2020! In the meantime... Enter to win one of three scholarships to Life After Loss Academy by entering your email address here: http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Purchase a copy of my latest book, Permission ...
Dec 25, 2019•7 min
What would happen if we saw mental illness through the same lens as physical illness? Bipolar advocate Emily Washcovick riffs on the validity of mental illness as REAL illness. Emily Washcovick's work: https://www.bipolarbroughtbalance.com/ Season 8 of Coming Back premieres January 1, 2020! In the meantime... Enter to win one of three scholarships to Life After Loss Academy by entering your email address here: http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Purchase a copy of my late...
Dec 18, 2019•7 min
There’s no skeletons, black lipstick, or bats here! There’s a perception that grief and death are morbid… but Alua Arthur and I are turning that myth on its head. Alua Arthur's work: http://www.goingwithgrace.com/ Season 8 of Coming Back premieres January 1, 2020! In the meantime... Enter to win one of three scholarships to Life After Loss Academy by entering your email address here: http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Join me for LIVE Grief Support on Patreon December 16...
Dec 11, 2019•5 min
What if we were just humans doing the human thing? Sarah Nannen and I are talking about listening and being present. Sarah Nannen's book, podcast, and work: https://www.sarahnannen.com/meditation Season 8 of Coming Back premieres January 1, 2020! In the meantime... Enter to win one of three scholarships to Life After Loss Academy by entering your email address here: http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Join me for LIVE Grief Support on Patreon December 16: https://www.patr...
Dec 04, 2019•5 min
You’re not supposed to compare your griefs with the griefs of others. But can you compare your griefs to each other? Rachel Whalen and I say YES. Rachel Whalen's work: https://unexpectedfamilyouting.com/ Season 8 of Coming Back premieres January 1, 2020! In the meantime... Enter to win one of three scholarships to Life After Loss Academy by entering your email address here: http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Join me for LIVE Grief Support on Patreon December 16: https://...
Nov 27, 2019•6 min
Join me January 1, 2020 for a 12-week online course that will help you feel safe in the world again, say goodbye to “the perfect griever,” and love the person loss has forced you to become. Enroll now: http://shelbyforsythia.thinkific.com/courses/life-after-loss-academy In the meantime... Enter to win one of three scholarships to Life After Loss Academy by entering your email address here: http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Join me for LIVE Grief Support on Patreon Novem...
Nov 20, 2019•12 min
Artist Joanne Fink lost her husband suddenly to a heart attack in 2011. Of course, he was more than just her husband; Andy was her business partner, IT director, and the person who held down the fort when she went to trade shows and client meetings. This week, we’re talking about the sudden need to take on spousal roles when a partner dies, Joanne’s perspective on sympathy greeting cards, and how to be a creative person… even if you’re not good at it. Plus, I’m sharing the final chapter of my bo...
Nov 13, 2019•56 min
In just three years, Rachel Reichblum lost both of her parents to the SAME TYPE OF BRAIN CANCER. Really… what are the odds? Today we’re talking about living in survival mode vs. thriving mode, why it’s necessary to “shelve spirituality” for a while after loss, and the immense pressure to find purpose and meaning after people we love have died. Plus, I’m talking about the things you do not have permission to do in grief and sharing an excerpt from my new book Permission to Grieve. Rachel Reichblu...
Nov 06, 2019•49 min
Thirteen years ago, Kristine Carlson’s husband was on a routine business trip when he died on a flight. The author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff, Dr. Richard Carlson was—and still is—remembered in very public ways. This week, Kristine and I are talking about not getting the luxury of saying goodbye, dealing with the fear of being sucked under by sorrow, and the wild, impossible interaction Kristine and her daughters had on a flight years after her husband’s death. Plus, I’m talking about practi...
Oct 30, 2019•1 hr 3 min
One year ago, Kristen Meinzer suddenly lost her job. She was left with questions, grief, and the inevitable identity struggle that job loss produces. Today, we're talking about what to DO in the aftermath of sudden loss (and why Kristen embraces being a do-aholic), the difference between forced gratitude and practiced gratitude, and what Dolly Parton and Pollyanna have to do with grief! Also this week, I'm talking about how we all need permission to take grief into the world after a loss and rea...
Oct 23, 2019•59 min
Her first manic episode and hospitalization in October 2018 absolutely changed the way Emily Washcovick saw herself. Today, she's launching Bipolar Brought Balance to slay the stigma surrounding mental health and add her voice to the growing community of mental health advocates. This week, we're talking about regaining trust in yourself after things fall apart, how it's never the JOB of grieving people to educate the non-grieving, and why it's so, so important to set boundaries that honor your m...
Oct 17, 2019•1 hr 6 min
In eight years, Miami Knight lost her dad, her sister, and her son. A serendipitous vision board party plus a continued conversation with god brought her to a place where she actively chose and decided to come back. Today, we're talking about how we can visualize a different reality in the aftermath of loss, how loss of faith is like falling out of love with god, and why Miami is on a mission to end gun violence through Bullets 4 Life. Also this week, I'm talking about what it means to have perm...
Oct 09, 2019•57 min
"Soldier on" was Hope Edelman's coping method for the sudden death of her mother until seven years later, a broken engagement brought her mother's death roaring to the surface. Hope started writing her New York Times Bestseller Motherless Daughters as a way to comprehend her loss and connect with other motherless daughters. Today we're talking about how death makes us crave truth and clarity, why it's so important to "add the middle" to our stories, and what other cultures have to teach us about...
Oct 02, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Colorful death doula Alua Arthur is helping people die better. She founded Going with Grace to educate and hold space for people facing their own deaths... or the death of someone they love. Today, we're talking about what we can learn about our own end-of-life by watching others experience death, what happens when we don't agree with the way someone has chosen to die, and the myriad of ways we can all bring more grace to the room when someone is dying. Also this week, I'm talking about WHY havi...
Sep 25, 2019•48 min
Sarah Nannen got the worst news of her life on a sunny day in 2014: her husband, Reid, had been killed in a military aviation accident. With four kids in tow, Sarah began walking the unexpected road of widowhood. Today, we're talking about how the reality of death in the military often looks like "compartmentalizing the elephant," how breaking the news of a death to kids is really the first of many conversations, and how faith in the aftermath of loss is more about actively hoping than it is abo...
Sep 18, 2019•1 hr 3 min
Writer and kindergarten teacher Rachel Whalen is a mother to many, but has just one living child. After two miscarriages and the unexpected stillbirth of her daughter, Dorothy, Rachel conceived and delivered her daughter Frances. Today, we're talking about the differences between parenting a dead child vs. a living one, what makes grieving parents want to try to conceive again after miscarriage and stillbirth, and the powerful message Rachel has for grieving parents who are pregnant. Also this w...
Sep 11, 2019•54 min
Christina Rasmussen had a master's degree in counseling and psychology, but nothing prepared her for the death of her 35-year-old husband in 2006. One snowy day, after running after the mailman to claim her undelivered mail, she realized that she needed to consciously DECIDE to come back to life after loss. This week, we're talking about her book Second Firsts, why Christina believes devastating loss should be a qualification for anyone leading a support group (it's often not), and why we should...
Sep 04, 2019•1 hr 5 min
As we get older (and our griefs get older), self-compassion is the greatest way to honor our humanity according to Rebecca Soffer and Gabi Birkner of Modern Loss. Modern Loss's work: https://modernloss.com/ Season 7 of Coming Back premieres September 4, 2019! In the meantime... Enter to win a copy of Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabi Birkner and And Then I Got Fired by J Mase III by entering your email address at http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Giveaway winner wi...
Aug 28, 2019•7 min
After her husband took his own life, Marlie Rowell somehow knew that should would come out the other side. Marlie Rowell's work: http://www.suicidewidowetiquette.com Season 7 of Coming Back premieres September 4, 2019! In the meantime... Enter to win a copy of Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabi Birkner and And Then I Got Fired by J Mase III by entering your email address at http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Giveaway winner will be selected at random from list of all...
Aug 21, 2019•5 min
Time itself doesn't heal all, but Richard Pryor believes time made the grief of losing his son easier. Richie Pryor's work: https://richiepryor.com/ Season 7 of Coming Back premieres September 4, 2019! In the meantime... Enter to win a copy of Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabi Birkner and And Then I Got Fired by J Mase III by entering your email address at http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Giveaway winner will be selected at random from list of all qualifying entri...
Aug 14, 2019•6 min
After R. Glenn Kelly's son died, his managers and direct reports stopped coming by his office to chat. R. Glenn Kelly's work: https://rglennkelly.com/ Season 7 of Coming Back premieres September 4, 2019! In the meantime... Enter to win a copy of Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabi Birkner and And Then I Got Fired by J Mase III by entering your email address at http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Giveaway winner will be selected at random from list of all qualifying ent...
Aug 07, 2019•5 min
Black trans queer poet J Mase III reads his poem, "Grieving Bill of Rights." J Mase III's work: https://jmaseiii.com/ Season 7 of Coming Back premieres September 4, 2019! In the meantime... Enter to win a copy of Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabi Birkner and And Then I Got Fired by J Mase III by entering your email address at http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Giveaway winner will be selected at random from list of all qualifying entries on 9/1/2019. Ask Me Anything...
Jul 31, 2019•5 min
Musician Neil Davis talks about how music is like "meditation for your brain!" Neil Davis' work: http://www.neildavismusic.com/music Season 7 of Coming Back premieres September 4, 2019! In the meantime... Enter to win a copy of Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabi Birkner and And Then I Got Fired by J Mase III by entering your email address at http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Giveaway winner will be selected at random from list of all qualifying entries on 9/1/2019. ...
Jul 24, 2019•5 min
That's all for Season 6 of Coming Back! I'm sharing some final thoughts with you from this season's episodes as well as some upcoming events, including another double-book giveaway! In the meantime... Enter to win a copy of Modern Loss by Rebecca Soffer and Gabi Birkner and And Then I Got Fired by J Mase III by entering your email address at http://www.shelbyforsythia.com/giveaway-coming-back-podcast Giveaway winner will be selected at random from list of all qualifying entries on 9/1/2019. LIVE...
Jul 17, 2019•18 min
